Bednarek: Why I joined Saints

New Southampton signing Jan Bednarek believes the club offers him the ideal place to realise his potential.

The 21-year-old Polish defender has moved to St Mary’s on a five-year deal from Lech Poznań, citing Saints’ reputation for improving youngsters as one of the key attractions for him.

"I am so happy that I could join a club like Southampton,” he said. “This is the moment I have worked for that makes my dreams come true.

“It only gives me motivation to work hard, to show my skills and to help Southampton to get better and better.”

The Poland Under-21 international, who grew up as a fan of his former club, continued: "It's hard to leave the club that you have supported all of your life. I have a lot of friends there, but it's football. I have one career.

“I think it's a good step for me, because I have heard Southampton is such a good club for young players, so I can improve here. I think it will be a good move for me.

i think it is a good step for me. i think it will be a good move.

jan bednareknew saints defender

"I think it was the key for me to move here, that the young players are playing here.

“There are not a lot of clubs like this in the Premier League, so when I heard that Southampton is interested in me it was the only way I was thinking, that I wanted to come here, I wanted improve here and I wanted to be a player of Southampton.

“That was the most important, that young players are getting the chance here and can improve themselves.”